IUCN threat status:

Brief Summary

Biology

The Seychelles warbler feeds primarily on a variety of insects, including bugs and their eggs, beetles, bees and ants. It also feeds on spiders and, occasionally, small skins and geckos (2). It forages for its prey in trees, particularly Pisonia grandis, Morinda citrifolia (the Indian mulberry) and Ficus (fig) species, plucking insects from the undersides of leaves and twigs (2) (3) (5). Occasionally, aerial insects are plucked from the air whilst in flight and rarely the warbler will descend to the ground to feed (2) (3). Being a monogamous bird, male and female Seychelles warblers form pairs and together defend a territory which they will remain in until one of the pair dies (2) (3). The peak breeding period occurs between June and August, with a smaller peak of breeding attempts occurring between December and February. The timing of breeding throughout the year seems to be dependent on rainfall, however, breeding may occur at any time of the year if insects are sufficiently abundant (3). Seychelles warblers have a cooperative breeding system, meaning that helpers, usually the daughters from previous broods, assist with defending the territory, building the nest, incubating the eggs and feeding the young (6). Normally, a clutch of just one egg is laid each season, which is incubated for around 15 days, and the chick remains in the nest for a further 14 days (3). However, even after leaving the nest the young warbler will continue to solicit food from its parents and helpers for months afterwards (3).